Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was an inspiration - just too many to mention, but I would say that as well as the obvious Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines, the home stay on Lake Titicaca was one of the highlights - I will never forget the night sky there - it looked as if the sky had been painted by Jackson Pollock - I never knew there could be so many stars, and the Milky Way looked as though you could just pluck it out of the sky - my words really can't do it justice! Another highlight was seeing condors gliding over the Colca Canyon - about 15-16 of them put on the most spectacular show for us for a good half hour or more. I thought that if I were lucky enough to see one it would be a dot on the horizon, but these glided over our heads - and kept gliding! Very day on the coach - just seeing the spectacular scenery and passing through the villages and towns, seeing locals in their traditional costumes was inspirational!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader Sebastian was the best group leader we have ever had! He took the time to get to know and spend time with everyone in our group [there were 17 of us]. He was compassionate when people felt unwell, and stayed with them until they felt better again - I myself had experience of this at Machu Picchu. He made excellent choices and recommendations for dinner, catering to everyone's dietary needs and wishes, and also recommended visits and activities that people might want to do if they had a special interest in something - for me this was the Pisco Tasting! When people did not want to participate in some trips or activities, he recommend alternatives and accompanied them if appropriate. We always thought the group was in safe hands with him. If there is a prize for the best group leader - he should be awarded it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs! The workmanship and detail of the colourful handicrafts are fantastic - buy these from local women on the side of the road. But for finer Alpaca knitted goods buy from specialist shops in the big cities like Cuzco and Arequipa. You really don't know how altitude sickness will affect you - just take things slowly.

Suggestions

Just that I have no hesitation whatsoever in highly recommending this trip! Both my husband and I think it is the best holiday we have ever had - and we have had a few!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the view over Machu Picchu for the first time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Raul was good company and kept everything running smoothly. The all-in-one tour he arranged for the first day in Cusco was a great use of the available time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are times at high altitude - take it slowly.

Suggestions

No

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Macchu Picchu

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian was entertaining and extremely informative. Professional from start to finish and nothing was ever too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go prepared for an adventure - you won't be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult one! I loved the Nazca lines by light aircraft - Cusco, Colca Canyon, Arequipa and of course Machu Picchu all jostle for first place.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As previously stated, he was excellent - knowledgeable, well organised, unflappable, scrupulously honest (at the end of our trip he gave us change from our tips kitty), amusing and very very kind.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you go well equipped and be prepared for some very basic condition at the homestay.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying with Flora, our homestay host. She was a true joy to meet and talk with. She is a tough, extremely hardworking, gentle and warmhearted woman and an excellent cook. She was full of determination to do the very best for her children (they were studying medicine and law) even though it meant an incredibly hard life for her to meet those costs. It was an privilege to be able to stay with her and she made our stay as comfortable as she could.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian a) has an excellent command of English, is well informed and was informative without boring us with a litany of facts b) did not B.S. (very important) if he didn't know but checked and came back c) was enthusiastic about his country d) was effortlessly highly efficient/organised e) warm, charming, friendly with a good sense of humour f) accommodated the various needs of the group and looked after us extremely well without being suffocating; plus guided those who needed it and didn't cramp the independence of those who wanted it g) chatted with each of us to find our particular interests and helped us achieve them eg wine tasting or dancing etc (over and above requirements) h) is an excellent ambassador both for Peru and equally importantly Exodus - many in the group were new to Exodus and are now wishing to continue with using Exodus i) took a very responsible approach to tourism within Peru and gave what seemed a balanced view of the cultural situation in Peru j) had inexhaustible energy throughout the trip k) spoke to those of us who wanted to improve our Spanish in Spanish where appropriate ie not excluding others who did not speak Spanish from the conversation. Very impressive and up in the top two of best guides I've had both as a seasoned Exodus customer and an independent traveller.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you suffer from motion sickness, consider whether you want to do the Nazca flight. It is quite nauseating and somewhat hot and claustrophobic in the Cessna planes used. Due to all types of weather encountered, the previous advice concerning layers is key. Good waterproofs also should be taken because when it rains it is likely to be a deluge.

Suggestions

It was a super bunch of people that formed this group which was a blessing and added significantly to the enjoyment of the holiday. The co-travellers were interesting, good humoured, caring, amusing and collaborative. That said, if you do not have a similar group when you travel, it need not negatively affect your experience because the nature of Exodus trips is that they afford you the ability to be pretty independent within the scope of the travel arrangements that form the itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many really to say. Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was incredible and the Andean Condors gliding above us and through the Colca Canyon were amazing. Angelito, our local guide, managed our expectations by saying that sometimes the Condors do not appear but we were incredibly spoilt with around 15 of them flying above us. Being able to stay in the home of a local family on Amantani Island was also incredible; hearing how they live their lives from day to day and giving us a glimpse of this, albeit, for less than 24 hours, was a humbling experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian was wonderful and truly made the trip for me. His wit, humour, intellect and knowledge of Peru surpassed all of my expectations. He looked after us from beginning to end by staying in the same hotel as us every night, providing us with his mobile number and making himself accessible 24/7 and we had the option to dine with him every night where he would take us to some interesting restaurants. In addition, every day was filled with fun and laughter - thanks, in the main, to him - he answered all of our questions and provided us with a great understanding of his homeland. He catered for our every whim e.g. we wanted to go to a salsa club in Cuzco then Sebastian took us; when almost all of the group went on a flight to see the Nazca Lines then he took the remaining 3 of us to a local museum in Ica - nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he refused to allow us to go on our own even if we offered. I speak Spanish and love to practice so Sebastian would speak with me in Spanish - he was amazing! Every Exodus adventure needs a Sebastian!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are some parts of the trip where uphill climbing is needed - whilst not intense, the altitude can contribute to a feeling of weariness at these times and this should be considered. I think Exodus provide excellent advice on how to prepare for this trip and so I have not much more to add. I would definitely take advantage of the single supplement when travelling alone as the group is amazing but the trip is pretty full on and some down time on your own is very beneficial.

Suggestions

Our group gelled very well and this also contributed to the amazing experience because we looked out for each other and supported each other. We all seemed to get on very well which was very important as we spent a lot of time together.

Most Inspirational Moment

The home stay with local family on an island in Lake Titicaca will stay with me for. A long time to come. Loved it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very good and very very knowledgable tour leader. Looked after us all very very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long travel days, in order to cover so much ground and fit everything in - and plenty of early starts.

Suggestions

No

Most Inspirational Moment

Homestay on Lake great opportunity to meet the community and learn how they are developing island

Advice for Potential Travellers

Presents for homestay, more options by bringing from UK and the thought is appreciated Our group had minor altitude impacts only, but if you are worried ask your GP for drugs in UK as the guides do not recommend buying locally. Having said that if you did get ill the local guides were great to arrange doctors to visit hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful sunny day at Machu Picchu.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fernando - very enthusiastic, full of detailed knowledge, always keen to do the best for us. Nothing was too much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for potential tummy troubles ! Avoid non-bottled water/ice/salad. Also altitude hit some of us - keep hydrated.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a Machu Picchu as I have wanted to visit it for some years now.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabastian was really good . He is a credit to Exodus. He explained things all the time about the trip and what was going to happen. He handled all the changes caused through the strikes and had regular meetings to inform the group. He chose lovely restaurants to have our meals. He would find out answers to anything you asked if he did not know the answer straight away. He had arranged for the doctor to come to the hotel when my husband got ill. He came to the hospital that night and came back with me in the early hours of the morning. Because the tour had a free day in Cusco the next day ,he accompanied me to the hospital in the morning and the afternoon . He then arranged for someone else from Exodus to come to the hospital and help me and my husband for the week he was in ICU.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the tablet for Altitude sickness it may help. Nobody knows who is susceptible to altitude sickness until they actually get it. If you get any signs of it tell your guide and accept help. Read all the joining instructions and make sure you take everything that is recommended it will make your journey more comfortable.

Suggestions

I would have liked more time to go in the pools and relax at the hotels. I liked the hotel at Ollytambo but we did not have time to really see it , it would have been nice to have spent longer there. It may have been better to miss out the Ballestas islands and fly from Lima to Nazca as the scenery is dry desert all the way and it was a very long drive, then more time would be available at hotels to relax a bit before the longer journeys and you could add in Ollytambo.